Best RV Parks & Resorts near St. Augustine, FL

Recent RV Reviews near St. Augustine, Florida

838 Reviews of 102 St. Augustine Campgrounds

• 

  Keisha D.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 10, 2020

  Encore Bulow RV

  No Southern Hospitality Here

  We arrived to the RV Park pretty late and excited to get hooked up and in bed quickly! Once we got parked we realized that the hookups were on the wrong side and we weren’t in a pull through so this was a problem. We hooked up what we could and decided to phone the front office to be relocated to another site the following morning. We called and were repeatedly told that we would have to have Thousand Trails assign us a new spot or we could pay to be relocated. Thousand Trails confirmed that they do not assign spots at RV Parks but the front office staff still insisted and offered to move us for a fee. We ended up driving through the grass and maneuvering around trees and poles to turn our trailer around and things worked out but the tone was set. We didn’t spend much time at the RV Park and won’t be returning. There wasn’t WiFi and the cell reception for Verizon was hit and miss. Almost everyone but us has golf carts they used while inside the park.

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 1, 2023

  Lynch's Landing RV Park

  Promising Campground in Need of Refurbishment

  If you find yourself in North Central Florida and in need of a patch of land to call home for the night, located just off Highway 17 just 5 miles due south of Palatka, you’ll encounter Lynch’s Landing RV Park, which offers immediate access to St. Johns River, where there’s plenty of fantastic boating and fishing to be had. That said, this spot should be looked at as a layover or a step towards your final destination, as while the access to fresh water is amazing, the campground offering is meager at best. Currently this ‘park’ is in the midst of a major refurbishment as ownership has recently changed hands. 

  Amenities here include: direct access to fishing on St. John’s River on the proprietary pier, full-service RV hook-ups (water, sewage and 30 / 50 amp electric) and a fairly decent boat ramp, in case you are towing your own behind you. Here you’ll discover that there’s every kind of boat docking at Lynch’s Landing from dinghies, yachts, canoes and kayaks and even the 40-footer fishing boats that you’ll occasionally see in these parts. With all 37 sites, there is complimentary WiFi offered for your web-surfing pleasure, along with just OK bathroom and shower facilities, an onsite laundr-O-mat, 200-foot fishing dock (panoramic sunset views are complimentary!). 

  No RV? Not a problem. Lynch’s will rent you a riverfront bungalow (but book way in advance!) complete with microwave, bathroom (with solo shower), fridge and TV. Surprisingly, there are no picnic tables or BBQ rings anywhere – I guess these ‘campers’ are cooking everything inside this fairly RV-exclusive mini-park versus throwing meat on the grill for their meals. Apart from this property’s close proximity to St. Augustine (30 minutes), Daytona Beach (60 minutes) or the City of the Most Famous Mouse (90 minutes), what is pretty impressive is the low $’s you’ll pay for the nightly, weekly and even monthly rental. 

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) In my view, Lynch’s Landing is not a destination – at least not at this moment until they refurbish the place, so my recommendation is to arrive late and depart early, unless you are really here for an excellent access point to the lower point of St. John’s River; (2) If you are looking to get some hiking in, look no further than Welaka State Forest, where there’s 2 decent trails (both integrated to the Florida forest Service’s‘ Trailwalker Hiking Program’) with the first, Spring Trail, offering a short 2-mile loop that ends in Mud Springs and the second, John’s Landing Trail offering either a 3.5 or 4 mile loop; and (3) While Lynch’s doesn’t offer much in the way of a natural spot to socialize and get to know the community, if you do find yourself missing civilization, in less than a 5 minute drive, you can join a sweltering crowd at either Oasis, which is a small roadside joint featuring beer and wine or Chico’s, which is the local Mexican cantina. 

  Happy Camping!

• F

  Faith J.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 1, 2021

  Stagecoach RV Park

  Nice area

  This RV park is in a great location near the outlet malls. All sites were pull through gravel full hook ups. For as crowded as the place was it was very quiet. There is a dog park and a basketball court.

• 

  Ian R.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 29, 2023

  Big Tree RV Park

  Big Tree RV Parking, not Park

  Once you get over that this is not a resort and just a place to sleep for the night, it's great.  There's just enough space to use your campsite and to chill once your day of work or adventure is done.  Lots of locals using this park for full time but just remember: RV Parking, not RV Park.

  Easy on-off to the highway, easy access to Jacksonville though on the west side of the city and a bit from the beaches.

  I don't know if I would use if for a tourist spot but, for an overnight or a long term, affordable stay, this is 100% a good spot.

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  Feb. 21, 2022

  Rainbolt Utopia RV Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

  Interesting Place

  Kind of an odd set up.. seems like someone had a large piece of land in a residential area and decided to just allow a bunch of RVs and rent campers to stay there. Per reviews on Hipcamp we expected a small quiet open piece of land, but when we arrived it was more of a cramped and crowded RV park, with RVs parked and crammed in every available space.

  It was fine for an overnight, but it seemed like an interesting community to join if you wanted to stay long term.

  Apparently the cost for an RV site with hookups is $30/night but on hipcamp there was an option for dry camping for $10 and we selected that and had no issues. We were guided to an open area that seemed to be more of a driveway but it was probably fine since we were leaving in the morning.

  Good place if you need a place to stay close to town.

• 

  Mike K.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 3, 2022

  Renegades on the River

  best kept secret

  This is a top notch RV park/marina.....has a full service restaurant with a very nice tiki bar right on the river.  Staff is just the best and the sunsets are beautiful.  Full size RV sites with full hook up and the whole park is paved or pavers.  Very nice pool and full laundry.  Plenty of bars and restaurants within a short drive.

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 1, 2023

  Smiling Gator RV Park

  Don’t Let This Gator Bite You!

  While this RV roadside camping lot has recently changed hands from Cookseys RV to Smiling Gator, even after they had published their new roadway sign, just a week later, it was already being replaced by a new one, so keep your eyes on who’s actually managing this place. Despite the management ‘change O hands’ game that might be going on, from what I can tell, very little has changed between ownership teams. This location is still just off a rather busy 16A highway (just a 7 minute drive due east towards the ocean from I95) complete with 3 or so very basic lanes lined with diagonally parked RV’s. 

  While Smiling Gator doesn’t offer up much in the way of amenities, it does still provide back-in and drive-through slots with the typical RV hook-ups (water, sewage and 30 / 50 amp electrical) along with a main office that has stacks of information on the local surrounding area, which is principally Ancient City (St. Augustine) and nearby attractions. There’s no tent camping offered here per se and a simple restroom and shower facility that has recently been renovated(and I use that term very loosely – likely just a fresh coat of paint). You’ll discover that there’s a few scattered picnic tables and a designated dumpster or two, but that’s about it, so if you are planning to stop by Smiling Gator, bring whatever lawn furniture and accoutrement that you might require. 

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Just across the street from Smiling Gator you’ll access one of the many entrance points to 12 mile swamp, which has some pretty fantastic hiking trails (just be sure to pack the mosquito repellant!); (2) If you come bearing watercraft, there’s no shortage of great access points, where I would highly recommend a stop by either Princess Preserve or Faver-Dyke State Park, both of which offering fantastic boat / kayak / canoe launches and some really great natural exploration; (3) When you have grown tired of digging through your RV’s mini-fridge or over-stocked Cordova cooler (props to my peeps in Idaho making the best cooler known to man (or Sasquatch for that matter!) and want to venture into the local community for some typical fare, then I highly recommend you give the food trucks gathered at Munch a try for some excellent Venezuelan empanadas, southern fried chicken sandwiches, mouth-watering hamburgers or freshly fried fish& seafood; (4) Don’t mind getting a bit dressed up and want a high-end, but local experience next to the water and don’t mind whatever the price is on the receipt? Then head on over to Cap’s on the Water where you’ll have the most delectable seafood experience overlooking the Intracoastal; and (5) If you come bearing tents and want one of the most amazing authentic (quasi) primitive camping experience, then head on over to North Beach Campground on the strand between Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine beaches where you can encounter both the best of what the Atlantic Ocean has to offer as well as the Intracoastal. 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 3, 2023

  Sun Outdoors St. Augustine

  This Highway RV Resort Packs a Punch w/ Tons of Amenities

  Formerly known as Compass RV Resort, Sun Outdoors of St. Augustine is an RV mega-resort paradise in the midst of Old Florida, placing you in very close proximity to both the cobblestone streets of the touristy oldest city in the nation (a.k.a. Ancient City) as well as the amazing white powder sand beaches of northern Florida. Located just a stone’s throw from the busiest transport artery in all of Florida (I95), whether you’ve just come down from the north to grab some warmth and sunshine or heading further afield as part of a larger trip, Sun Outdoors makes both a good pit stop as well as a spot that you might want to drop anchor for several nights. 

  You can’t call an otherwise RV parking lot a ‘resort’ without throwing down a number of amenities and Sun Outdoors – a chain of RV pit stops throughout the country with dizzying amounts of distractions and add-ons – will deliver on this front easily. From offering the basics like back-in and pull-through well-paved, flat RV slots (there’s more than 160 spots to choose from) with gravel pads and all the full hook-ups (20 / 30 / 50 amp electric, sewage and water) offering solo, patio and buddy sites. There’s 3 different sections to this park each offering up a slightly different experience, including: The Grove, The Pond and The Oasis. In addition to standard pet-friendly hook-ups, all sites provide complimentary cable and WiFi, fire ring with foldable BBQ rack and picnic tables as well as full access to spartan cleaned restroom and shower facilities as well as other community amenities (see more below). 

  Additional amenities include: spacious dog park, heated in-ground swimming pool, nature trails that encircle the resort, fitness center, coin-operated laundr-O-mat, on-site storage, corn hole, gazebo / picnic area, clubhouse as well as catch & release fishing in the small pond on-site. And if you don’t have an RV, don’t worry, the good folks here at Sun Outdoors will rent you one of two versions of newly fabricated 1BR mobile homes. Bonus points additionally as Sun Outdoors is protected by a remote-control operated entrance gate, along with a main office (where you’ll check-in) that is fully staffed around the clock adding extra layers of security. 

  Insider’s tips? (1) If you’re a golfing fanatic (and admittedly, I am not), then you are in luck as just a bit further up north on I95 you’ll come across World Golf Village, where in addition to offering up Buccee’s and CostCo for all your camping and shopping needs (where a Home Depot and Bass Pro Fishing will be installed shortly), there’s also World Golf Hall of Fame featuring exhibits and displays of the sport; (2) For the history buffs, there’s Castille de San Marcos National Monument, which is one of the oldest stone masonry fortifications in the western hemisphere (let alone the US) originally founded by the Spanish way; (3) While you might be living the blues inside your RV or simply want to replace the sound of highway traffic with something more pleasant, you can actually just head up the street and listen to the blues at probably one of the coolest outdoor venues in the country at St. Augustine Ampitheater; (4) If you are looking for a decent place to do some great hiking, then look no further than due south of Sun Outdoors where you can check out Matanzas State Park, that has miles and miles of unspoiled hiking trails with virtually the entire place to yourself (save the deer and gators that you might come across); (5) If you’ve forgot anything, while there’s an on-site market here at Sun Outdoors, there’s also a Dollar General Store and slightly further down the road, a Publix; (6) Carrying watercraft and looking for a nice spot to hit the water? Then I HIGHLY recommend Princess Place Preserve that offers access to the Matanzas and Tolomato Rivers as well as Pellicer Creek; and (7) Lastly, if you are craving some great local fare and too tired to figure out what that next meal is, then I highly recommend these local favorite joints: Scoop for ice cream, Sunday for brunch, Munch for an assortment of food trucks and St. Augustine Fish House& Oyster Company for amazing fresh seafood with great Intracoastal water views overlooking St. Augustine. 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 1, 2023

  Beverly Beach Camptown RV Resort

  Multi-Campus, Mega RV Resort w/ Ocean or Intracoastal Views

  One of the few crown gems you’ll discover along Beverly Beach, Camptown RV Resort & Campers Village is MASSIVE! But I must forewarn my tent pitching brethren – this is 100% an RV hangout (for the most part) of the concrete jungle kind. That said, if you’re looking for a spot to park your mobile living room for the night (or the month) and want to be able to either quickly access, or better yet, have amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean with simply outstanding beaches, then look no further than Camptown! 

  From an amenities standpoint, all slots are either vertical or diagonal (facing directly towards the ocean or across the street towards the Intracoastal) with both sides offering full hook-ups (water, sewer and 50 amp electrical service - Camptown offers 30 amp adapters free of charge) as well as complimentary cable and WiFi for all your social media surfing needs. Don’t have an RV? Not a problem, Camptown has you covered with their cabin rentals (but there’s only about a half dozen, so make a reservation early if you want these). Onsite you’ll discover a fairly full-service market with gifts and souvenirs, fishing gear, beach items, snacks and soda, booze and mixers as well as all the RV camping supplies you might need while here. 

  What I love most about Camptown is that it puts you SMACK DAB in front of one of the most beautiful beach shorelines on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. One warning I would give, having stayed shortly after Hurricane Nicole hit, is that a decent amount of the coastline has been demolished and there are several oceanfront businesses and access-ways that are now defunct and under construction. Additionally, Camptown is midway between 2 great locations – St. Augustine (aka ‘Ancient City') to the north and Daytona Beach to the south. Both offer additional great beaches (but you should have no problem on this front here at Beverly Beach) as well as a ton of nightlife, culinary, cultural and entertainment options. 

  Inside tips? Here’s a few: (1) While boasting about being ‘pet-friendly,’ if you are thinking about renting a cabin here at Camptown, think again – no four-legged friends are allowed; (2) As you are this close to paradise, I have to make ‘treasure-seekers’ aware that if you are on the hunt for shark teeth, you are nearby one of the world’s most famous beaches for discovering the dental remains of 20 or so different Selachimorpha (and some prehistoric, if you are lucky enough); (3) When you get tired of trying to figure out what’s on the menu for your next meal, I highly recommend grabbing an oceanside brunch at Java Joint with the Country Benedict (the sausage gravy is outstanding!), ordering a pair of crab cakes at Turtle Shack Café or pursuing fresh fried conch fritters at Break Awayz; and (4) If you want to drop your kayak in some ‘frakish’ (sea and fresh water) waters, then stop by Si Como No Inn (can’t miss this vibrant oceanside hostel) that has access to the Matanzas River/ Intracoastal. 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Jay B.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 7, 2021

  Pelican Roost RV Park

  Labor Day 2021

  Be advised that this park is on Mayport Naval Station, so you will need proper military ID to access the base.

  We are tent campers, and stayed in the tent area Fri-Mon over Labor Day.

  The tent area is just that, and area. No designated spots, no fire rings, and no picnic tables. There was one table in the middle of the area and one water spigot for all to use. The area is shaded nicely and there is usually a breeze blowing in. When the breeze stopped, it was quite warm, even at night.

  The park is mainly long term rv’ers with huge campers. The rv spots have little to no shade.

  The staff was friendly, and called us while we were driving down, to get our ETA.

  The grounds were well kept, even though Saturday and Sunday mornings, they were mowing at 8am.

  The only dumpster we saw was about 1/4 mile from the tent sites. There is a big dog park across the street from the the rv park, and a nice beach about 1/2 mile away.

  There is a PX about 1/2 mile away, the main exchange and commissary are off base a few miles from the main gate.

  The bathrooms were clean, and had plenty of hot water. The park also has a laundry room next to the bathrooms.

  Overall a very nice park, and we will definitely go back. We will be more prepared next time, knowing there are no fire pits or picnic tables in the tent area. Can’t beat the price of $10/night for that view.

• 

  Tom & Shar S.

  Scout

  

  Feb. 12, 2024

  Cooper Lake RV Community

  Great Campground for Snowbirds!

  This campground is awesome for snowbirds, out-of-state workers, and long-term campers. Quiet, friendly park away from the hustle & bustle.  Close to St. Augustine, Gainesville, and Ocala. New owners so renovations and upgrades are at the top of their list. We will be back!

• 

  Cheryl T.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 11, 2019

  Flamingo Lake RV Resort

  Best RV Park in Jax area

  Best RV Park in Jax area

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 1, 2023

  Starke-Gainesville NE KOA

  Roadside Fabricated Camping

  Alright, it’s KOA, so if a fabricated outdoor ‘camping moment’ is what you are after and don’t mind the concocted grounds you are on and want an easy-breezy no frills outing underneath the stars you will encounter, then the KOA pitstop located in Starke (NE of Gainesville) has you covered. You’ll find this commercially-produced camping outpost right off the worn pavement of highway 301, which runs right through north central Florida is easy to find, conveniently sandwiched between the Murray Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership to the south and the Tractor Supply Co due north (but don’t worry, there’s also an IHOP right across the street, completing this concrete jungle campground adventure). 

  This camping depot is too well organized for my taste and has over 100 slots perfect for the RV and trailer parking crowd, 5 spots for tent campers (unfortunately, nearest the highway – so bring your earplugs!) along with 2 cabins and 2 studio lodges. The standard RV slots are on Elm, Oak, Pine, Maple and Hickory, while the more premium sites are located on Walnut, Chestnut, Magnolia and Spruce. Big Birch lane separates coach class camping from first class – but hey, we’re all out in nature, so is there really a divide? 

  Amenities? And while this KOA is older and battle-worn more than most of the other properties I have driven by, this also has a ton of amenities, including: a heated pool, complete with lounge chairs and sun umbrellas, community fire pit, game room, dog parks(one for bigger breed and one for small pups), horse shoe pit, shuffleboard, playground and swings, sandbox, propane filling station, picnic tables, bocce ball, designated trash and recycling bins, nature trails, WiFi, Cable / TV as well as full RV hook-ups including water, sewage and electric (30 / 50 amp). For anyone that is in need of anything they may have forgotten or run out of (like all KOA’s) there’s a mini-mart on-premise that has ice, wood, sodas and just about anything else you could think of (and for anything they don’t have, there’s a Walmart and Ace Hardware so close you could just walk to either). And don’t worry if by chance you forgot your RV, trailer or tent – if you are in need of somewhere to call home for the night, this KOA has you covered as they rent a few studio lodges and rustic cabins. 

  Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are on the look-out for a REAL camping experience and don’t want to settle for this KOA manufactured experience … then don’t. There are options! Within a 30 minute drive of here, I would recommend Mike Roess Gold Head Brand State Park, which is simply FANTASTIC and provides more than 5 different campgrounds from primitive to RV-heavy and everything in-between; (2) When you get tired of foraging for the next meal from your onboard RV cooler, then head into the town of Starke for some local grub, wherein I highly recommend anything from the ‘Swamp Things’ portion of the menu at Cedar River Seafood, where afterwards you can finish the meal off with a scoop of the cold stuff at nearby Strickland’s; and (3) If you are looking to experience some of the best nature in the area, be sure to check out either Camp Chowenwaw Park and Black Creek Park and Trail, both conveniently located just due northeast of KOA Starke/ NE Gainesville. 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 19, 2021

  St. Augustine RV Park

  Drive-By RV Depot

  If you are looking for an EZ on/off RV parking lot that is low on the totem pole from a pricing standpoint, doesn't offer any amenities and is located adjacent to a thriving city and a stone's throw to the Atlantic Ocean, then this RV parking lot may just be right for you.  That said, it is RIGHT OFF US1, which is a major highway (6 lanes to be precise), so while convenient, it will come with harbingers of noise and light pollution.  There's about 40 drive-thru RV spots on the grounds, along with about 5-6 apartment/condos and upon visiting, there were definitely a handful of available spots, although I'll warn you that there appears to be a number of RV's that have been parked there for quite some time.  For those looking for a camping respite, I wouldn't recommend this concrete lot.  That said, if you're in a fix, this is convenient and cheap.  Insider's tip?  Head south on US1 about a mile and you'll come to Munch, which is St. Augustine's Food Truck haven - I recommend Arepas, Howling Fried Chicken and Cheesy Bacon Everything.  While you might not be able to sleep well at night at St. Augustine RV Park, at least you can eat well?!

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Sean A.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 20, 2018

  North Beach Camp Resort

  Best of Both worlds

  Beautiful beach on the Atlantic Ocean, beautiful sunsets along the inter coastal. Full hook ups, cable, most sites private and separated by vegetation also providing shade in the summer. Friendly staff, clean campground, pool, store ect. No complaints. My families favorite campground. My young girls never get bored. Minutes from historic downtown st Augustine also.

• 

  Mark

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 18, 2022

  Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

  Into the woods

  This is the third time this year I’ve been to this campground. I came here in February this year, then brought the family in July and now I’m here solo in December. Campground is great for a few reasons, one of which is that you feel like you’re camping in the woods vice pulling into an RV parking lot. You get full hook ups, a picnic table and a fire ring for an unbelievable price. It has great access to a very long strip of beach, which is awesome news if you’re a surfer or just a beach lover. They have miles of off-road biking trails, which seems to be a big draw for a lot of folks that come here. It can get a little noisy at night even after the 10 PM quiet hours. The camping store is good and overall i would highly recommend this campground.

• 

  Amy M.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 15, 2022

  Ocean Grove RV Resort

  Great pool and fishing dock!

  Great full hook up, paved site with easy access to beautiful St Augustine Beach. There’s also a large, clean pool area with hot tub, big fishing dock with small boat/kayak ramp, and bar/restaurant at the pool. Staff is friendly, facilities are clean. Sites are small, but we didn’t spend much time outside of the site. Beautiful sunsets over the dock.

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  May. 26, 2024

  PepperTree RV Resort

  Two Halves From The Same Tree

  'Schinus mole' is the Latin genus for Pepper Tree, which oddly here in the States can be traced clear to the other coast where it is better known in the great state of California and less so here in Florida. Whatever the origins for the name and / or its impact on the nomenclature of this particular RV park one thing is sure to be true, which is if you are looking for a bit of spice to add to your wanderlust, than look no further than PepperTree RV Paradise!

  Got an RV and looking to get as close to one of the best locations near Crescent Beach? Then PepperTree RV Paradise might just be your overnight parking oasis that can easily be found south of St. Augustine down the legendary A1A. This is a particular special stretch of golden sand dunes where traffic and retail materialism give way to the open road, soft breezes blowing off the Atlantic, which will no doubt lure you to discover its goldmine of rough, rugged sandy beaches with towering palms swaying in the backdrop as if to beckon you closer.

  As for the location itself, this RV oasis is on the smaller boutique side and conveniently located on Anastasia Island between St. Augustine (a.k.a. Ancient City) to the north and Palm Coast to the south, which in this particular spot, if your ideal getaway involves broad beaches without too many tourists, then you’ve found the right destination. Here, you’ll discover one of the most amazing beachheads in Northern Florida, where the sand is a mixture of churned up seashells, golden sand speckles and the elusive shark tooth, which litter this seaside beach haven where the waves frolic in the ocean, the sun's ray dance on your skin and the sun sheds plenty of light from early dawn until the late-night embers from your oceanfront bonfire burn bright in stark contrast to the whitecaps breaking in the ocean's distance.

  Back to the campground, well, it's not much of a campground per se, as it is more a conveniently located parking lot for RV's, 5th Wheels and semi-permanent trailer houses. For my tent-pitching bredren, you would be advised to skip this location in favor of other locations just a couple stone’s throw from here – although the best nearby seaside oasis deserving of your attention would be Anastasia Island SP. Back here at Pepper Tree RV Resort, there's a small loop that encircles the grounds, dissected in the center with another roadway. What's pretty fab about this joint is that it's got a really nice, small pool (lots of the residents were hanging out there all day long drinking Margaritas) adjacent to the resort's main office, which also has (get a load of this…) its very own on-premise laundry room. The bath houses are equipped with showers, are immaculately clean and provide ample space to get your laundry washed, dried and folded.  Addtionally, there's designated dump stations and recycling areas scattered throughout the premises. If you are looking for amusement, in addition to the beach that sits just across the street, there’s also a basketball court, shuffleboard pavilion and horseshoe pits here at this RV resort.

  Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) When you grow tired of staring down the bottom of your onboard mini-fridge or roto-molded Cordova cooler and want to check out some local fare, for just ‘meh’ (Millennial speak for 'average') food that has a decent vibe, check out Connolly’s Shore Grill, Seafood Kitchen of St. Augustine or Hurricane Grill & Wings, but if you want some really delish, unique local dishes, then head on over to Salt Water Cowboys, but do be sure to get a reservation as this place fills up; (2) If you’ve got hiking or biking in your plans, then head south to the famed Washington Oaks Garden SP where you’ll have a good 4 miles or so of pathways to enjoy amongst a beautiful view of the Matanzas River all beset against a backdrop of a most beautiful Floridian botanical garden; (3) Should you come towing a kayak or canoe and looking for the perfect spot to launch, again, head south to either the Southeast Intracoastal Waterway Park or Fort Matanzas Beach Drive Access where you can easily launch into the very picturesque Matanzas River and catch a bird’s eye view of the Fort Matanzas National Monument; (4) Whether with your kids or perhaps on a picnic date with your significant other, if you can make your way here, check out Rattlesnake Island, which is a discoverer’s slice of heaven that resides just due west of the A1A; and (5) IMHO the best spots here at PepperTree RV Paradise are those located closest to the pool, which also feature an amazing view of the on-site lagoon, with those specific hard-to-get sites being #1– 9 due west of the main office or #77– 78 (+ A & B).

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 1, 2024

  Crystal Cove Marina & RV Resort

  Single-Lane RV Parking Strip w/ Direct Access to St. Johns River

  If you find yourself up in the northeastern corner pocket of the Sunshine State, and for some reason end-up here in Palatka (a.k.a. The Farmer’s Market of the entire State of Florida) and looking for a spot to park your mobile living room on solid ground, then Crystal Cove Marina & RV Resort might just be the spot for you. Careful though, as there are only about 8 spots here to choose from (although this RV riverside stand is promising 40 more tree-lined RV slots in the near future), but all sites come with full hook-ups including 30 / 50 electrical, water and sewage. There are no picnic tables, BBQ grills or any other amenities to speak of, but you will have direct access to St. Johns River with an amazing boat launch. That’s about it.

  Other than the pavement that you will drive on upon entering this spot or the flat and level sandy locations that you will park upon, there’s not a whole lot to this particular place, although there is an incredibly nice restaurant / bar scenario called ‘The Lighthouse’ (formerly named ‘Captain’s Cove Bar’) which is a decent bar with all of the usuals on tap and on shelf. There’s food trucks and live music on the weekends, but bear in mind that your RV will be parked in the same spot as said food trucks along with all of the local parking traffic that overruns the parking lot you will find yourself in.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While there’s not much to offer in these parts, you are right near Palatka, which is kind of an overgrown town, that has a number of standard drive-by restaurants that you’ll expect (Chili’s … add every standard fast-food restaurant chain here), but there are a few hidden gems, of which, I highly recommend Corky’s Bell Seafood @ Gator Landing, which I would encourage you to try the fried whole catfish or the mahi-mahi served grilled or blackened; (2) Despite the bar offering here at Crystal Cove, which might keep you rooted because it’s just so dang easy and close, I would highly recommend a trip to Welatka Lodge Resort, which for a 25 minute ride south along the St. John's River will certainly impress; and (3) If you’re looking for a great slice of nature to discover and hike / fish / kayak / etc. then head on over to Etoniah State Forest, which is less than a 20 minute drive from Crystal Cove and there’s 4-5 amazing hiking trails to explore as well as Georges Lake with which to cast a line.

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Caleb R.

  Scout

  

  Jan. 2, 2022

  Riverside Camping — Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach

  Easy simple Campground

  We had a great first experience camping in our 1975 airstream at this location. Our particular campsite was a pull through and had electric and water that was easy to hook up 5 feet away from the camper. The people were extremely friendly including the hosts and there were several long-term campers with big RVs. A fire pit and grill were easy to use at the site. The only downside was our campsite didn’t have any trees for our son to explore, but it made it easy to see the sunset and stars at night

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 3, 2023

  Ocean Grove RV Resort

  South Side Ancient City Roadside RV Resort

  What I love about Ocean Grove is that it puts you smack dab due south of St. Augustine (a.k.a. Ancient City), but far enough away where you can get away from the noise, traffic and otherwise touristy area of the country’s oldest city. While the downside is that this roadside RV stand is, well, located roadside and in fact, right on the AIA, it does place you within a few minutes’ drive to some of the best beaches, like Crescent Beach, which is only 4 blocks away. Given that this is a fairly well-known attractive area known for its beaches and southern way of seaside life, there’s also no shortage of tiki bars, fish shacks and taco stands to choose from, all within walking distance. 

  As for the RV Resort itself, Ocean Grove lives up to the word ‘resort’ given all the amenities that you’ll find here, especially the very well-maintained, amazingly massive heated in-ground pool, gargantuan paved patio deck (with separate area for dining) complete with patio chairs, umbrellas and lounge chaises, along with the overgrown group-sized bubbling hot tub, in addition to offering a very well-stocked market store, restaurant and bar (can anyone say “Mai Tais poolside, por favor?!”) as well as perhaps its most impressive asset, offering direct water access to the Intracoastal (along with kayak rentals, in case you forgot yours). 

  Additional amenities include: basketball and bocce ball courts, coin-operated laundr-O-mat (complete with community book exchange / library), billiards and foosball tables, propane refilling station, pull-through and back-in RV slots complete with full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, sewer and water), perfectly level paved RV pads to park on, picnic tables, horseshoe ring, fishing pier on the San Julian river, lagoon with turtle watching, children’s playground, doggie park with designated dog run, boat ramp, RV / boat / jet ski storage area, complimentary WiFi, large picnic pavilion, cable TV (additional charge), golf cart parking, designated dumpsters, community fire pit (the only place on the premises where fires area allowed), recreation hall with A/C and oversized wall-mounted TVs, heated and air-conditioned bath houses with showers. Extra points here for Ocean Grove providing a gated entry point with actual staff that adds additional layers of security, important given the proximity to the AIA. 

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) IMHO the best spots here at Ocean Grove are those that are waterfront: F138–F141 next to the fishing pier or J100–J126; (2) One of the very few detractors at this place is that of the 208 RV slots available, you will notice that Ocean Grove attempts to make every square inch count, so no matter where you are parked, there won’t be a ton of privacy and your hook-ups will feel very crowded (sewage line right next to the picnic table, hmm, not very enticing to say the least!); (3) When you get tired of trying to figure out what that next meal is going to be when staring down at your mini-fridge or cooler, then check out some local haunts, like Salt Water Cowboy (where anything from the Land, Sea and Swamp section like fried Alligator is pretty amazing), World Famous Oasis Restaurant or Connolly’s Shore Grill for fresh caught seafood; and (4) If you are looking for a decent place to do some great hiking, then look no further than due southwest of Ocean Grove where you can check out Matanzas State Park, that has miles and miles of unspoiled hiking trails with virtually the entire place to yourself (save the deer and gators that you might come across). 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Rusty R.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 31, 2021

  Beachside Camping — Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach

  On the beach

  You can get a spot close to the beach or on the inlet side. Was a good weekend walking the beach. Rv hookups make it easier for some of the other types of campers lol

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 27, 2022

  Flamingo Lake RV Resort

  Mega-RV Resort Experience

  If you like things BIG, then you’ll find a very comfortable spot to call home for a few days here at Flamingo Lake RV Resort, perfectly situated in Northern Florida, just a bit above Jacksonville on the beltway. Whether enroute from JAX to a nearby destination or looking for a stopover heading north from Miami or south from anywhere else, Flamingo is a great layover for the RV going crowd. In fact, there are so many incredible amenities, you may actually make this a primary destination – from covering all the basics: water, septic and electric (30/50 amp) hook-ups, grills/ BBQ, picnic tables, perfectly paved level pads (accommodate up to 40 feet length, plus side slide out shades), nice shaded areas, well-maintained bath houses and spartan clean restrooms; to offering up a ton of bonuses: a number of sandy beachhead waterfronts (to a 17-acre lake), perfectly paved pathways and roadways (perfectly laid out for the non-stop parade of golf carts), superb market store stock with all of the basics and sundries, kid’s playgrounds, top-end dining at Flamingo Lake Sunrise Café, large-event pavilions, doggie parks, fishing piers, boat docks, umbrella-strewn patios, aquatic rentals and many other amenities. 

  Don’t have or want to live in an RV? No problem – this place offers up modern rental cabins that are either lakefront or have a very great view of the water. Insider’s tip? While this place seemingly has it all – I would strongly recommend you make it further afield to explore what is best along the Florida-Georgia line – like Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island and Ancient City (aka St. Augustine). Really, the only downside at all to this place is its proximity to I95, which may actually be one of its greatest assets, as it provides ultimate convenience – I just hope all the splashy amenities this place has to offer helps hush the non-stopping swoosh of nearby traffic! 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 4, 2022

  Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

  Nature City Escape

  Wow! What a discovery it was to stumble across Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park! That was (and still remains) my immediate reaction after having ventured to this slice of paradise just due north of Jacksonville, which, for endless bonus points, is strategically located running adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean – all without the far more crowded beachheads you’ll discover south of here in spots like Neptune, Atlantic and JAX beach. In all there’s about 1.5 miles of white beach coastal oasis awaiting sea and sun worshippers. 

  For the small $5 price tag to enter this park, you’ll have endless distractions to keep you and the kids occupied for a good long while. From kayaking, fishing and canoeing in the self-contained lake (and no worries if you didn’t bring your own kayak and canoes– they have a rental shop here that will take care of you) to swimming and surfing in the ocean, this is a water-fueled adventure that will keep you coming back again and again. There’s even a splash park for the kiddos. 

  Don’t want to get wet? Not a problem, there’s a number of hiking trails as well as some hard packed earth paths and miles of paved roads that you can bike on. With 447 square acres of mature coastal hammocks, you’ll find yourself immersed in some of the best of what nature has in store for you here in the Sunshine State. Apart from quite possibly some of the most accommodating, pleasant and amiable staff and park rangers, you’ll also be impressed by the many camping options that abound – from primitive and tent to RV sites and even cozy cabins that you can rent by the night. 

  And if you want to look further afield, there’s even more camping options at nearby Huguenot SP(see my other review for more details on that particular campground). One of the best parts about camping at KAH is the online map that shows you EXACTLY what you’ll be getting when you rent a spot (for more, check out this link: https://www.coj.net/departments/parks,-recreation-and-community-services/recreation-and-community-programming/kathryn-abbey-hanna-park.aspx). Whether with a Lake View (the most prized campsites), or burrowed near the forest’s edge, you’ll find that while there are an absolute TON of campsites to chose from, there is relative privacy to be had, if you are patient and flexible with your timing and location. The sites I recommend most are#210 and#211 as well as#175 and#161. 

  You’ll discover that the campground offers a number of amenities including: laundry, recycling, bathrooms, showers, RV hook-ups (electric, water, waste), dump stations, playgrounds (conveniently located not next to the dump stations!), picnic shelters (reserve well ahead of time), boat ramps, amphitheaters, plenty of parking, resident police (huge points for this security feature as well as the key code security gate that guards the campground entrance) and there’s even a campground shop that you can buy ice, kindle and everything else you may have forgotten at home. Insider’s tip? If you are interested in camping here, my biggest recommendation would be to book early – especially for those shoulder season long holiday weekends (Memorial and Labor Day are especially jam packed). 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 1, 2024

  Pellicer Creek Campground

  South St. Augustine RV Park Haven

  Located due southeast of the country's oldest town of St. Augustine (a.k.a. Ancient City) and just a few stone’s throw west of the busiest highway that runs north-south in the entire state of Florida (I95), this RV park (more permanent vs. transitory, mind you) is perfect for anyone looking for EZ access to both I95, US1 and even slightly further afield the glorious A1A. While definitely on the smaller side with only about 30 or so slots and, thus, more intimate, this location offers up full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage) for mostly back-in and just a few pull-through sites. There's a simple circle loop to the layout, where midway through you'll come across an access point to a small tributary from the Pellicer River, which is a perfect access point for kayaking and canoeing - just beware of the alligators, which show up in packs during mating season.

  As for amenities, apart from the Pellicer Creek itself and the small slice of earth that you will enjoy peace & quiet at, there isn’t much that this location offers apart from a designated picnic table and hook-ups at each site. There are no bathrooms or shower facilities per se. The place isn’t terribly level either as you drive towards the creek, it will be on a slight descent, while a slight ascent will greet you upon your return and eventual exit. That said, this place does get high marks for having a key-coded security gate to enter with, which given the very close proximity to I95 and US1 is a very welcomed feature indeed. WiFi does exist here but we barely got a bar. And as far as the slots themselves go, there isn’t much of any privacy as the slots are very close to one another, but unlike a lot of other places we’ve been to, there wasn’t much noise during the day or at night.

  Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) Apart from the amazingly nice people who run this place, there is little to love about a campground that is more for RVs than actual outdoor tent campers, so if you are the latter and want a supremely amazing tent-pitching experience, then you are in great luck as just nearby and less than 15 minutes away you have Princess Prairie Preserve or Faver-Dykes SP both just due east; (2) If you have grown tired of firing up franks & beans for another meal, and while there’s not much within close proximity to this campground, fret not, jump in your vehicle and head north on I95 to Smokin’ D’s BBQ and if you are looking for some great seafood, then head east of this BBQ pit stand to The Commander’s Shellfish Camp for some great steamed shrimp and iced tall boys; (3) When you are looking for something really different to keep yourself entertained, head across the street from Pellicer Creek Campground to Shantytown Village, which is a former oyster farm that now features rustic buildings that feature local artisans, craftspeople and vendors selling their wares and on the weekend the place is transformed into a farmer’s market; and (4) While the access point to the Pellicer Creek is arguably the greatest asset this campground has, and as enjoyable as the creek is, it is slow-moving and not terribly eventful, making it a really good oaring for about an hour in either direction, but for more avid waters with which to navigate, you’ll want to head over to either Princess Prairie Preserve or Faver-Dykes SP (are you seeing a pattern here?!) for some excellent paddling.

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Lawrence Robert T.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 27, 2020

  Stagecoach RV Park

  Good place for exploring St Augustine

  We really wanted to stay down near the beach, but all the State Parks were full and the RV resorts looked more like trailer parks and expensive parking lots. We decided on Stagecoach and were very pleased. The staff was very efficient and friendly.

  All the sites were pull-thrus and level which made set up easy. There were a few trees giving us shade from the hot FL sun. Shower facilities were clean. Laundry room had no change machine so make sure you’ve got quarters. Behind the resort “beyond the fence” was an area the is use for flying remote control planes and they were fun to watch.

• 

  Jennifer B.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 11, 2021

  Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

  Worst site in 5 years rving

  Arrived excited to stay in a "purple" (up to 35 feet) 50 amp rv site with full hookups for a week by the beach. Have read great reviews of this park. We made this reservation in December. We checked in and arrived at our site, #25, only to find a low front, high middle, low back end back in site, too narrow for slideouts and with great washed out tree roots extending towards the center of the high middle. We would have bottomed out badly to straddle the higher center after the rear wheels dropped down in the lower back end of the site. This also put the sewer uphill from our black tank. Our 33 foot class A was not going to work. I went to the office, only to be told they were full with no other sites available, oh, and no refund because we had checked in, and that is City of Jacksonville rules. Did I mention it was raining, cold, and about 2 hours until dark? We left, drove through the rain out of Jacksonville and found a nice private RV park with an available level site outside of Callahan, FL.